Letter: Treat tobacco products consistently

Editor: When many of us think of tobacco, we think of cigarettes, premium cigars and maybe chew. Today, if you walk into a convenience store, you will likely be confronted with a wide range of tobacco products in flavors you never imagined, such as wild cherry.

Do you think that grape-flavored mini cigars are really being marketed toward adults? The reality is, today there is a proliferation of tobacco products that don't fit into our traditional categories. The aggressively marketed, cheaply priced products need to be seen for what they really are: a deadly, addictive tobacco product.

It just doesn't make sense that little cigars that come in 20 packs and look the same as a cigarette aren't taxed the same as a cigarette. These "copy cats" sell for less than $3, when your typical pack of smokes sells for $6 to $8. Why should these products be treated any differently?

Regardless how it is ingested, there is no safe tobacco product. It is important to stress that these products are harmful and addictive. Our state law has loopholes that are blatantly being exploited by tobacco companies. It just makes sense we're consistent when it comes to how tobacco is sold and treated in our state.

Dot Kalmon

Wausau

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Letter: Treat tobacco products consistently

Editor: When many of us think of tobacco, we think of cigarettes, premium cigars and maybe chew.

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